1968 Chevrolet C10 Restoration - Two-Tone Revival!

After installing the Custom trim kit on the windshield and rear window of the ’68 C10 project truck, it was painfully obvious that something needed to be done about the top half of the cab. The truck’s original orange and white two-tone paint scheme had long since been covered in a solid coat of red, rather dubiously I might add, as it appears that they simple did a tape, scuff, and squirt job, attested by the peeling of the top coat in a number of areas. And while the rest of the truck was in OK shape, the top was really bad, with the original white paint showing through the faded red respray. But not only was it faded, it was also checked to the point where it would be necessary to sand it down through the layers until the roof was smooth again. And of course, as with almost any classic truck, the rain gutters had seen better days.

2/34The rear window section has been “jammed” prior to installation of the rear window.

So, it was decided that I had better treat the issue before it got worse. Luckily, I saw the writing on the wall when I replaced the glass rubber and jammed the area around the windshield and rear glass in gloss white. This will save the area from suffering from a visible paint line and will allow me to shoot the top without removing the glass again.

But as these things go, it can’t simply begin and end with a respray of the top. No, it must become more complex as that’s just the nature of the truck project beast. Because, of course, the grille is white as well and is suffering from the same fate that’s befallen the top. Better plan on pulling that out and working it to match. So much for my weekend!

3/34This shot of the front corner of the roof shows the checked paint and the rather sad state of the front driprail.

I really hate it when these rather simple ideas turn into a whole slew of projects, but it’s just the way things go sometimes. And, what the heck? Since I have to paint the top and the grille, I might as well take the opportunity to replace the front bright work, headlights, lamps, and lenses with new bits from Brothers Trucks. And, you know what? It’s gonna look really funny with a nice, new chrome front bumper and that old crusty step bumper out back; better plan on swapping that out as well … and so it goes … CCT